浅议唐代新疆的植棉

Discussion on Cotton Planting in Xinjiang During the Tang Dynasty

新疆是我国最早植棉的区域之一,据史书记载,高昌国时期已有植棉活动。至唐,植棉范围进一步扩大到喀什、和田等地区,棉产量颇具规模,当地藉此进行纺棉织布,所产棉布除上贡朝廷外,还用以支付军用、缝制衣物、兼行货币职能。唐代新疆的植棉活动不仅促进了棉在全疆范围的普植与推广,还促成了棉花种植技术的东传敦煌。

Xinjiang is one of the earliest cotton-planting regions in China. Historical records revealed that cotton planting activities were prevalent in Gaochang Kingdom. In the Tang Dynasty, the scope of cotton planting was further expanded to Kashgar, Hotan and other regions, and cotton production was quite large. Locally, cotton was not merely used to weaving fabrics, but also as a present to royal court, and paid for military use, as well as performing currency functions. The cotton planting activities in Xinjiang in the Tang Dynasty not only promoted the popularization and promotion of cotton in the region, but also spread the technology to the Dunhuang region.